Gashole

Castlevania 3 needs, and deserves, MANY more votes than THAT.

YES!!! Castle...vania...3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@ricklongo
Um, NO.

@AJ_Lethal, $9.99 is too much to pay, plus $15 for useless additional subs.

What's the point? He's going to get fired anyway!

I guess you could say that Iwata had... growing pains! Ba-dum-tisss!
Seriously though, folks, the guy's gonna get fired, anyway, so don't get your panties in a knot.

I actually remember seeing this in Gamepro magazine, back in '93. I thought it was absolutely stunning, like the other CD-ROM games were, but I always stuck with Nintendo. Frustrating, yes, but rewarding, oh yes. It IS like playing a game from another world.

SirQuincealot, don't forget Dawn of Sorrow and Portrait of Ruin for the DS, too!
As for Castlevania 3, excellent graphics, and some of the finest NES music ever, even if it was released in the 90's! You should check it out on Youtube.

"For what it’s worth, we think that bringing the product to the consumer in a personal manner is exactly the sort of change that the games industry needs." Could NOT agree more.
Anyway, my experience was at the Best Buy in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, and was excellent. I went on the Saturday, about 1:15 p.m. (!), only expecting, like many others, just to play the Wii U version. NOPE! Someone told me there was a 3DS one, too! So, forgetting U, I played in 3D three times, with Little Mac, Mega Man, and Zelda, six minutes each, with a 45 min. wait each time, and my fellow gamers were friendly and approachable... for the most part.
I was told the following; on Wednesday, no one, and I mean NO ONE, at first, took notice of the 3DS version! Then, the Wii U crashed twice, and the 3DS crashed three times, to the point that one 3DS system BROKE! Then it was 3, not 4.
And as for the "coveted" gold coins? JUNK! They had to be recalled, because they were "of inferior quality", and if you STILL wanted that gold coin, you'd have to fill out a form, have Best Buy send it to Nintendo, and, maybe two to four weeks later, there's your REAL gold coin in the mail!
I'm REALLY glad I didn't play on the Wii U. Not because of the long lineups, but because of the ANARCHY! Oh man, the primal screaming EVERY TIME a final smash happened! And don't even get me started with Mega Man's final smash!

@rjejr Oh man, was I thinking the same thing!
THE DEMO IS RIGHT THERE FOR EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE, NINTENDO!!!!

...why don't I remember playing ANY of these?
What about Castlevania 3 in North America? You guys KNOW that's a better game than the ones above, right?

@Danny429, these are just digital-download only, so that's why they're getting special attention. Having said that...

It was Atari that changed video gaming forever, 41 years ago, by bringing the university campus technology to the streets, and making video games popular (yes, I'm aware of the Magnavox Odyssey in '72). Gamers everywhere should remember Atari for being the very root of popular video gaming. My 3DS certainly does, with the DS Atari's Greatest Hits Vol. 1 & 2.

This still makes you wonder, though. Hmmmmmmmmm, intriguing....

“Let's not be naive and over-idealistic, though.” Yeah, like in the last Talking Point article on Nintendo at E3.
This article is much, much, MUCH better, and really gets to the matter of Nintendo's shaky future.
The sponsorships are inevitable. They really rub me the wrong way, but Nintendo needs this as badly as they need many new IP's, just to get rid of the stale nature of their games, in general (having Pikmin be the last major one doesn't help matters much at all, however).
Nintendo, until the last 10 approximate years, has always been about creativity and innovation, and they seriously need these two 'cardinal virtues' again.

This article shocks me. So much blind faith, just because of future wishful thinking. This isn't like them at all to be doing this, as gathering facts and updates on a rational, periodical (and methodical) basis, is the best way to approach this.

“It's unlikely that we'll see a release on the on Virtual Console”... UNTIL NOW!!!

So THAT'S how little the attention is for Wii U right now! I always wondered. Thanks again, Nintendo Life!

Thanks for the article, Nintendo Life. I haven't laughed this hard at one in a long time!

@ShadJV, guess what: Mii Fighters are only playable With Friends, instead of With Anyone, online. Got that info from the Smash Bros. website.

My money's right here, Nintendo; make Majora's Mask 3D happen!

@bebettergamerNL, keep in mind that A Link Between Worlds is only about 6 months old right now, while Ocarina of Time 3D had a major head start by about 2-and-a-half years. It'll catch up.

1. An actual release date for Smash Bros. 3DS., and figurine inclusion for that version, too.
2. Majora's Mask 3D.
3. Castlevania 3, 3DS eShop, in North America. (You just KNOW us 30-plus-year-olds need it!)
4. Steel Diver, Driver, and Flyer: Global War. “It's about all things Steel!” (Kidding.)

@ThomasBW84
Here's the link to the official Canadian website:
http://plug-in.bestbuy.ca/t5/Video-Gaming/Super-Smash-Bros-Smash-Fest-Best-Buy/m-p/92368

It's time to wake up, Nintendo, and get out of that comfortable, conservative bed you've been sleeping on.

I only need a Majora's Mask port for the 3DS. Ocarina of Time 3D NEEDS a companion.

But there's Castlevania 3....

@ThomasBW84
Please don't forget Canada in your article, for Smash-Fest.
There are plenty of fans here, too.
And there may be many of YOUR fans here that don't know about it AT ALL.

@IceClimbers
Although the core console is no longer sold at a loss, do Nintendo gamers in general care? Not entirely.
And when young gamers aren't helping, as you implied, it just makes the situation a little more unsettling.

@dereq @Melkac
For the third year in a row, Nintendo has had nothing losses. In 2011, it was $458 million. In 2012, it was $366 million. And last year, it was $229 million. It's not over. Even with Mario Kart 8, it only managed to sell approximately 1.2 million copies in it's first four days. I say ONLY, because they're in serious need of moving many more Wii U console sales past its initial 6 million mark. The timing of Smash Bros. at Christmas is vital for the Wii U this year, and next. Although they have 'enough monetary reserves to run a deficit for 38 years', this still begs unnerving questions:
Why is Nintendo out of touch with its gamers?
Why does Nintendo fail to utilize their trademark creativity and innovation for their games, and new technologies?
This comes from a generation of Nintendo gamers (since the '80's) that have grown up, even if just a little, but are now a little smarter, too. Many of us are now married, with children, and we would love to show the next generation what Nintendo is still capable of doing. The problem is, it's getting harder to do so, with fewer relevant and exciting options than even the Wii or DS had. And those systems sold 101 million, and 154 million, respectively. The Wii U and 3DS have sold 6 million and 43 million, respectively, even if "so far".
I'm not going all-out, like many others, with a doom-and-gloom scenario. But we, as gamers, are the reason why Nintendo is still around. And if we continue to speak frankly and honestly, and Nintendo continues to fail to listen, then there is a slow, yet gradual, decline in interest, and profits. Younger gamers would like to see a more flexible and adaptable technology that catches up with the competition, like with cell phones.
Having said all of that, my initial post was as much about playful sarcasm, as it was about reserved cynicism. Take it however you will.
But "the bottom line" really isn't about money, anymore. It's about the gamers. And we're speaking out, louder than ever.

None of this surprises me, considering Nintendo is DESPERATE for money right now.

"The Nintendo eShop Is Like Paradise."
Say WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA?!!!!!!!!!!!

Ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod (HUFF, HUFF, HUFF).... WHEN is this game coming to N.A.?!! It's like, the most freakin' AWESOME Castlevania game EVER!!! I know that's up for debate, but WOW!!! This is to Castlevania what SMB 3 was to Mario! (HUFF, HUFF, HUFF).... I just saw this today, and this day, like, exploded into video gaming BLISS!!! (HUFF, HUFF, HUFF)....
Sorry about that, folks.
To me personally, this is the last must-have game for the 3DS Virtual Console, regarding the NES, and the most treasured childhood haunt I ever experienced in an old-school video game.
But, yeah, I kinda want it now, please. And thank you.

Swords & Soldiers got a higher “first download” percentage on the list than either Mega Man V OR Street Fighter Alpha 2?! HOLY FU-(Head explodes)

@Raghav, there's a very good chance. Last year's E3 Demo Days event at Best Buy had 21 locations in Canada.

I really love the TV-Game 15 pic, which shows Nintendo's true origins, but the pic regarding playing as both a male and female villager, while not surprising, must be a BIG relief for many (including myself), with multiple outfit options!

I'll stick to my $10 Metroid Prime: Hunters, thanks.

It would've been a great opportunity for Nintendo if these games were released on the Wii U. It badly needs Pokemon games.

You were just warned not to insult other commenters directly, and since you just went out of your way for the sake of doing it again, I'd like to wish you a fond farewell.

--The Mods

@Wilford111
First of all, Wil, I wasn't even talking to you in particular, so you can eat crow for that one.
It matters that you've played the original, so you're not stupid and remorseful enough to waste 9.99 on more 1-player filler.

And as for my logic, once you pay for a digital game, there's no going back, you're stuck with it. Kinda like you're stuck with your own gullible, slow nature right now.

I really don't like all the praise this game is getting. I bet almost all of you never even played the original, as it was a HORRIBLE, BORING gaming experience for me, and countless others. The 1-player mode in Sub Wars does nothing different (but wow, it's now a first-person shooter!). It's only the multiplayer mode that has anything good in it. Nintendo dropped the ball on this one (big surprise), PRECISELY because of the multiplayer being IN THE FREE VERSION! Don't get tempted to pay $9.99, PLUS $15 for additional filler, people, we're wasting enough money as it is on that premium version with more 1-player levels. OOOOOO!

Uh, no, it isn't.

I don't get excited by looking at screenshots, but by playing games.
It's just as well, there's not a hint of originality in any of these tracks.

I can see the desperation a mile away.

Nothing Nintendo can do will save the Wii U. Not Mario Kart 8, not Smash Bros., and not any other game in their library. All of this without even mentioning their 3rd party support.
And they deserve this, because they've been turning a blind eye, and a deaf ear, to all of their fans.
What goes around comes around, Nintendo!

"We used the original as a base on which to add new elements"
Yeah, and it shows. It only looks as good as the SNES original.
And the 3DS XL version looks equally as bad.
And to all the cry-baby haters out there, grow up.

Good, another 3DS eShop game I won't be buying. Way to keep my wallet closed, Nintendo!

@KarateKid1234 No, DSi games will still be available on the 3DS eShop.
@Windy Unfortunately yes, no more Phantasy Star Zero online.

@Ignatius_Cheese
Maybe YOU should read the article, AND ferthepoet's comment. Nintendo is refusing to change, and this is a testament to their lost innovation and creativity, THE TWO THINGS THAT DEFINED THE COMPANY IN THE FIRST PLACE! His article speaks volumes louder than Nintendo's. His says "this is what needs to be done", while Nintendo's says "we're going to keep it safe for a while".
"I am both curious and nervous about the future of Nintendo but will continue to enjoy the 3DS and Wii U for the time being." That proves you're just as safe and predictable as they are, and don't really care about speaking out against Nintendo's ignorance. Which, by the way, means KEEP YOUR WALLET CLOSED.
And one last thing:
"Needless to say, this does not sound like Nintendo are positioning themselves to compete directly with Sony or Microsoft in the future and, as such, will distance themselves further from the current 3rd Party models."
A recipe for disaster, and they're feeling it already. When disaster hits, do we do nothing? Nope. We change our strategy.
Bye bye, Nintendo, it's been a blast.

@Windy I couldn't agree with you more!
The 3DS is the VERY best system I've ever played, because the NES games are on there, Mario 64 DS and Ocarina 3D are on there, the 3DS games are only getting better, and that catalog of DS games porting all the way back to ATARI! This is DEFINITELY the system I'm retiring on!
I'm an old gamer myself, as I started with the NES back in '87.